Daily Archives: May 7, 2018

Water Systems Support
• The RDCK is taking a lead role in preparing a refined proposal for funding that would enable small water systems to access the necessary resources to create a planning road map to direct what their water systems would require for success. This road map will outline:
o System design specific to the communities’ geography and layout
o Governance model for managing the water system
o Financial management
o Regulatory guidance for both the Drinking Water Protection Act (DWPA) and the new Water Sustainability Act (WSA)

• I am also funding several Area D water systems
o Fletcher Creek Improvement District $10,000 (previously funded $35,000)
o Schroeder Creek $20,000
o Backroad Water Society $25,000
o Mirror Lake Water Users Society $20,000
• Kaslo Backroad is preparing a proposal for feasibility of water and power generating system

Lardeau Valley landlines
• Telus has updated and installed new batteries that should allow for a 30 hour back up when the power is out
• Thank you to our RDCK Emergency Program Coordinator Travis Abbey, Gord Smith of Telus and local residents Marlene Johnston and Rik Valentine for the expertise and advocacy

Forestry in Area D
The RDCK has supported Area D’s request to write to Minister Donaldson, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development, for overview of the slope stability and terrain assessments that Cooper Creek Cedar is conducting for the Argenta / Johnson’s Landing areas. We hope to follow up with the Minister directly within the next month
• District Manager Tara DeCourcy has also provided support for a third party peer review of these assessments. However, given that government’s role is limited under current regulations, I felt it was necessary to bring the serious concerns to the attention of the Minster. Should the slope stability raise concerns of risks, the District Manager for Ministry of Forests cannot prevent the approval of a cutting permit- this is called the Professional Reliance model.
• Area E Director Ramona Faust is facing similar concerns in her community. This is why the letter that was sent by RDCK Chair Karen Hamling includes both Area E and Area D community safety concerns.
• The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy campaign is gaining traction. I have received over 20 emails requesting my support. While forestry is not a jurisdiction local government has decision making power over, I have suggested residents take the campaign to the MLA. Your MLA as the Provincial elected official has jurisdiction to discuss and advocate on your behalf.
• What I can say as your local elected official is that I am committed to wildfire mitigation, which can proceed whether the land is under tenure for logging or a protected park. I will continue to focus primarily on the need to protect all Area D communities with best assets, tools and funding available including in the interface forest

Directors Report- Spring 2018
May 5th and it looks like winter may actually be over. Hard to imagine we are already planning for flood and fire season.
There are two parts to this report, part 1 is RDCK services and part 2 is the advocacy I am pursuing as your director (but do not fall under the RDCK or local government authority).

PART 1: RDCK Services
Emergency Services
• I am very pleased to announce two communities in Area D have achieved Fire Smart Community Recognition. This is a milestone in protecting homes and communities from the threat of wildfires.

• Mount Buchanan Lidar report and mitigation plans. RDCK has applied for funding for mitigation works. Once we hear we will inform the community of what actions will be taken
Please: Be Flood Aware. See RDCK Media release with contact information here:http://www.rdck.ca/…/2018-news-archi…/be-flood-prepared.html

Kaslo and Area D Economic Development (EDC)
• We were not successful with our Rural Dividend Application for the North Kootenay Lake Agriculture Innovation Program. Although we were not successful, Area D will continue to fund a year two program that LINKS will offer with wage subsidies for farmers and capital infrastructure supports. Looks for ads out soon. The plan was to offer:
o Farm internship program
o Capital infrastructure support
o Organic Diversion (compost) feasibility study to design a region program
• The Kaslo and Area D EDC is preparing to submit a proposal that would see several initiatives funded. Organic diversion feasibility is slated to be one of them
• All minutes for the EDC can be found at the RDCK website under our agendas. Follow here: http://www.rdck.ca/…/kaslo-and-area-d-economic-development-…

Planning Services- Spot Zoning in Area D
• While I have not personally been a fan of zoning in rural areas, over the past three years it has become more apparent why zoning can be an effective tool.
• Zoning is the tool that provides local government regulatory oversight on land use. It starts with an Official Community Plan (OCP), — the vision – and then zoning which leads to bylaws.
• Out of the 24 communities in Area D, only Ainsworth has zoning and subsequently land use bylaws.
• The Building Code is a separate bylaw that does not require zoning or an OCP. It applies to all buildings within the RDCK.
• Without zoning, local government has little control over land use. In rural areas the pressures for industrial land use mixed in with residential use is not as likely or problematic as in urban centers where populations are more concentrated.
• In Area D, the following issues have risen that have residents requesting local government to review zoning:
o Businesses with high volume traffic operating in quiet residential neighborhoods
o Medical marijuana facilities in residential neighborhoods with no control over use of community water systems and safety measures;
o Free roaming domestic animals of all sorts including cows, pigs and horses. Zoning would allow local government to regulate fenced animals
o Temporary and seasonal homes that are currently prohibited due to the inability to monitor use. Seasonal homes can collapse under large snow loads with residents remaining in them is a community safety concern.
• While not all communities have the need for zoning, some do and would like to see it implemented. For these reasons, I will be initiating a survey to be mailed to all residents inquiring as to their interest in zoning. It may only be one or two out of 24, it will be the communities who decide

CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Annual Funding
• Community Initiatives funding is pooled between Kaslo and Area D for a total of $53,000 in 2018. Request for funds exceeds $140,000. The ballots will see some serious cuts due to funding constraints. Mayor Hewat will lead the Community Initiatives meeting on April 16th at JV Humphries school
• Affected Areas is for communities affected by the Duncan Dam. Total funds available this year is $85,000 with a request for $104,000. We will see on the ballot the all applications will be recommended but with a reduction due to availability of funds.

Area D 2018 Budget
Below are the approved allocations for several Area D services. For the full budget, please contact the RDCK or me and we can send one out to you.

Community Works
These are gas tax funds from the Federal Government. The Federal Government sets the criteria and application with specific funding areas. Area D receives approximately $65,000 annually